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Journal of Financial Economics Vol. 109 No. 1 2013

Market timing, investment, and risk management

Patrick Bolton1,2,3; Hui Chen1; Neng Wang1,3

1 National Bureau of Economic Research · 2 Centre for Economic Policy Research · 3 Columbia University

open access

Abstract

The 2008 financial crisis exemplifies significant uncertainties in corporate financing conditions. We develop a unified dynamic q-theoretic framework where firms have both a precautionary-savings motive and a market-timing motive for external financing and payout decisions, induced by stochastic financing conditions. The model predicts (1) cuts in investment and payouts in bad times and equity issues in good times even without immediate financing needs; (2) a positive correlation between equity issuance and stock repurchase waves. We show quantitatively that real effects of financing shocks may be substantially smoothed out as a result of firms' adjustments in anticipation of future financial crises.

DOI
10.1016/j.jfineco.2013.02.006
Volume
109
Issue
1
Pages
40-62
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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